Although it's not common for an employer to focus solely on workplace conflict during an interview, certain positions may compel the employer to spend a fair amount of time asking a candidate about conflict resolution. Usually, these interview questions are meant to solicit honest responses concerning how the candidate recognizes workplace conflict and how the candidate typically responds. Interviewers frequently want to know if the candidate is apt to resolve conflict on his own and what types of conflict will compel him to involve management.

Dealing With Differences of Opinion

It's not unusual for employees to encounter situations in which their opinions differ from their colleagues' opinions. When an employer asks you how you've responded to differing opinions in the workplace, he's often looking for a specific response; namely, he wants to know that you kept a cool head, were willing to listen and come to a resolution before getting management involved. The important thing to remember is that managers generally prefer employees to be mature enough to resolve conflict without having to involve management whenever minor conflicts arise.

Successfully Mediating Conflict

Interview questions relating to conflict are often aimed at assessing how the candidate mediates conflict. In other words, interviewers ask questions about conflict mediation skills to get an idea as to whether a candidate knows how to de-escalate conflict. For example, an employer may ask a question about mediation of conflict to see if you have the ability to listen to both sides and empathize with colleagues who have differing opinions. If you respond by explaining that you understand the importance of hearing both sides, the employer is more likely to believe you have the ability to mediate any conflicts of opinion that arise.

Procedures When Dealing With Conflict

Employers not only want to know how candidates react to conflict, but they also want to know whether a candidate will follow company procedure when conflict arises. When an interviewer asks about procedure and conflict, you should explain that you would defer the to the company's procedures when conflict arises. A thoughtful response regarding consideration of company procedure will show the employer that you won't go rogue when dealing with conflict in the workplace.

Dealing With Difficult Personalities

Conflicts can arise even when fellow employees are agreeable; however, sometimes, a fellow employee may simply be difficult to work with. In other words, a fellow employee may be a contrarian, simply because that's his personality type. When an employer asks a question as to how you would deal with difficult personalities in the workplace, it's another chance for you to explain that you possess empathy, even when you're dealing with a recalcitrant colleague. Again, the employer wants to hear that you have the ability to be judicious, regardless of the personality. However, an employer may also want to hear that you are willing to alert management when a colleague is so difficult that the best course of action would be to get management involved.

About the Author

Andrine Redsteer's writing on tribal gaming has been published in "The Guardian" and she continues to write about reservation economic development. Redsteer holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts in Native American studies from Montana State University and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law.